Kochi-Kottayam regular container barge service from March 8

A regular container barge service between the ports of Kochi and Kottayam is to start on March 8.

The demand for such a service had been long-pending. This is expected to enable smoother and more economic movement of cargo. Importers and exporters would have the advantage of bringing in and carrying goods directly to the port. This is also expected to ease road traffic snarls and promote greener transport mode.

The container barge service between Kochi and Kottayam will bethrough National Waterways-3 and National Waterways-9, according to the Cochin Port Trust.

A meeting was convened by port chairman AV Ramana, Chairman with Customs officers and representatives from Kottayam Port, IGTPL, Shipping Lines, Custom Brokers and other stakeholders to finalise the arrangements for the regular container barge service.

‘Thee barge service will help reduce carbon footprint and cost for first and last mile connectivity, thereby fulfilling the objective of ‘Sagarmala’ programme of the Union Ministry of Shipping,” said Ramana.